Skip to main content

The Neighborhood Tour: Fall, 2020

After a summer of mostly exploring amazing places in Pennsylvania, I decided a "neighborhood tour" in the rig might be a reasonable next thing to do.  By "neighborhood tour," I meant visiting each of my neighboring states to see and do things I haven't seen or done in those states before.  And by "reasonable," I thought I could travel pretty safely by minimizing shopping and other indoor activities, doing things with others outdoors, maintaining social distance, wearing a mask when I couldn't social distance, and washing my hands a lot.  It isn't impossible to be covid-conscious when you live in a van, down by the river!

Pennsylvania has six "neighbors:"  Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York.  So in September and early October I spent anywhere from a few days to a week or more in each state, mostly paddling (of course!) but also hiking, biking, and riding, and taking a few photos.  Noticed the changing of seasons along the way.   And had the pleasure to meet up with old friends and make new ones along the way.

Here's a few highlights from the trip.  The links are to google photo albums with more details and pictures:

OHIO: 

Brandywine Falls; Cuyahoga Valley National  Park, near Cleveland, Ohio


Cliffs and gorges in Ohio!  Cuyahoga Gorge Trail in Akron, Ohio
 https://photos.app.goo.gl/V2z3yyDCDu94Me2w8



Kayak sailing around Kelley's Island State Park near Sandusky, Ohio



Lots of geology going on here!  Hocking Hills State Park 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xzoc3yFBadR7JS3o8


WEST VIRGINIA:

Canyon Walls; Lower Gauley River, near Summersville, WV


The River, the Gorge, the Bridge:  The New River near Fayetteville, WV

The Bluestone River near Pipestem, West Virginia

Bikepacking along the Greenbrier River Trail, Eastern West Virginia


WESTERN MARYLAND:

Olly and Mark in "Lost and Found," Youghiogheny River, Western Maryland 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/awrDKNyWTi6M9Hty5


EASTERN MARYLAND:

Paddled with the ponies (and more) at Assateague National Seashore, Eastern Maryland


In a swampy cypress forest:  Pokomoke River, near Assateague 


CENTRAL MARYLAND:

The Gunpowder Creek and Gorge; Gunpowder Falls State Park   https://photos.app.goo.gl/fUmodVE3fcWfbY1J6




View at the Top:  Maryland Heights Trail, overlooking Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/NE3WqfWUqWKiwnKD7

The Weverton Cliffs near Brunswick, MD:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/ap9h5RkeywW7hNDr8


DELAWARE:


Cedar Trees and Knees; Trap Pond State Park near Laurel, DE


Cape Henlopen's Atlantic Shore, near Lewes, Delaware


NEW JERSEY:


"Hiking in a boat" on the Great Egg Harbor River; Pinelands National Reserve



At the High Point in High Point State Park, NJ


NEW YORK:

Letchworth State Park in Western New York


"Ithaca is Gorges!"  Finger Lakes Region, Central New York


Canoe Sailing; Upper Delaware River below Hawks Nest, New York


A FEW FABULOUS FALL COLORS:

Wild, wonderful, foggy West Virginia!


Autumn Color Explosion:  Roadside West Virginia  


Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park, Western Maryland

VIDEO RECAP:



And finally, a little video recap.  Runtime about 90 seconds.  Click on the link, then touch or click on the opening image (the loaded rig) to start the video if it doesn't start on its own:  


All in all, a pretty nice neighborhood tour!  Up next:  Follow warmer weather and explore bits of Virginia, North and South Carolina.  Later this year:  A multiday Everglades paddling trip and find wonderful things to see and do in Georgia, Tennessee, and maybe other southern states..  

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Stay Amazed!   







Comments

Post a Comment